Timer



April 17, 1934. D. BACON 1,955,402

TIMER Filed March 14, 1931 IN V EN TOR.

DA v10 L BA co/v,

M, L nna/(4H ATTORNEYS.

Patented Apr. 17, 1934 TIMER David L. Bacon, New Haven, Conn, assignor to The Engineering and Research Corporation,

New Haven, 001111., necticut Application March 14,

4 Claims.

This invention relates to a structurally and functionally improved timer capable of use in numerous diiierent associations, but primarily intended to be employed for the controlling of elec- 5 trical circuits. In such employment, it is particularly useful in connection with trailic con trol apparatus and systems, although its uses are of course manifold.

It is an object of the invention to provide an apparatus which shall be positive in operation and extremely simple and rugged in construction, the apparatus being capable of production at a relatively nominal figure and avoiding the difficulties heretofore experienced in connection with dash-pot timers, in that its operation will not be affected or varied by changes in temperature and additionally, it will not be susceptible to the difiiculties incident to the construction and maintenance of a relatively complicated apparatus such as is usually embodied in timers of the drum types.

Another object is that of furnishing a timerin which the parts may be adjusted to provide for an operation after the expiration of a predetermined interval and which, when once adjusted, will operate efficiently to perform the functions for which it is intended.

With these and other objects in mind, reference is had to the attached sheet of drawing,

illustrating one practical embodiment of the invention, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a somewhat diagrammatic side elevation of the apparatus, and

Fig. 2 is a front view thereof.

As afore brought out, the apparatus may be employed in numerous different associations. With a view to avoiding unnecessary illustration, the apparatus controlled by the present timer has not been shown. Moreover, merely one form of the invention has been shown somewhat schematically. It will be understood accordingly that the construction of the present apparatus might be varied in numerous respects according to the needs of the particular installation and that the parts of the apparatus might be rearranged as might appear most desirable.

Thus, in the annexed drawing, the reference numeral 5 indicates a housing or frame or any suitable material, and within which there is retatably mounted a pair of drums or rollers 6. These elements are preferably formed of steel or any other suitable metal, and with a view to assuring their equal peripheral speed, the diameters thereof should be identical, and any suitable form of synchronized drive may be employed.

a corporation of Con- 1931, Serial No. 522,599

Such a drive may include for example sprocket gears 7 secured to the shafts of each of the rollers and which sprockets are connected by a chain 8. Obviously, any other forms of connecting drives might be employed.

In order to move the rollers or drums, a motor 9 has been shown. This motor be mechanical or electrical, and a suitable for l or" reduction drive (not shown) preferably connects same to one of the rollers so as to move the latter at relatively reduced speed. Disposed adjacent these rollers is a driven element or actuating device w'nich in the embodiment under consideration takes the form of a steel bar Normally,

this bar is in wiping contact or else very closely spaced from the surfaces of the roller 6, and the path of travel of the bar is either vertical or else sufficiently inclined to the horizontal so that its own weight will normally tend to maintain it in a lowered position as has been illustrated in the drawing. If desired, the tendency of the bar to assume such position may be assured by for example coupling the lower end of the latter by means of a spring 10 to the frame, this spring obviously tending to maintain the actuating member in retracted position even if it be disposed in a horizontal plane.

With a View to limiting the movements of the actuating member, stops 11 may be employed. These stops preferably are rendered adjustable by movably mounting the same as at 12. so that the path of movement of the actuating member may be varied as desired. Also, as has been shown, one or both of these stops preferably include, or are formed of, circuit breakers which are connected by leads 13 to apparatus to be controlled, the latter having not been shown for the reasons afore brought out.

With a view to providing an energizing means, it is proposed, considering the present specific embodiment of the invention, to employ an electromagnet common to both rolls or drums. To this end, a member 14 is utilized which extends to and is just out of contact with the faces of both rolls. A coil 15 is provided in association with this member and a switch 16 connects the coil with a source of electrical current supply 17. Obviously, when the switch 16 is closed, a flux will be generated and the roll 6 will be in the path of the flux so that they will accordingly be magnetized to attract the actuating member 9, while, when the switch is open, the flux path will be interrupted so that the actuating member will not be attracted.

In using an apparatus of this nature, the parts are set up, and the distance to be traveled by the actuating member is accurately determined by adjusting the stops l1. Thereafter, the meml er 9 is set into operation, and this member, according to the present exemplification of the invention operates constantly and at uniform spee Now, when the switch 16 is closed, the actuating member 9 is caused to bear intimately against the surfaces of the rolls or drums and the latter accordingly hift the member until the outer end of the same strikes against the stop 11. In functioning in manner, it may either open or close a circuit or may perform any other desired function. engagement has been effected between the actuating member and the stop, the rolls of course continue to operate, but no further movement or the actuating member follows for the reason that the latter will slip in contact with the roll faces. This is obviously without damage to any of the parts and as soon as the switch is opened the actuating memberwill shift back to its initial position and if an element to be operated, as for example a circuit breaker, provides, or forms a part of the lower stop 11, an actuation will again follow.

Thus, among others, the several objects of the invention as specifically afore brought out are achieved. It is intended that numerous changes in construction and rearrangements of the parts might be resorted to without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the claims.

Having described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

l. A timer including a pair of rolls, means for synchronously driving the same, a bar disposed adjacent said rolls and establishing flux path therebetween, means for introducing magnetic force into said path to magnetically couple said rolls with said bar, and a stop for limiting the movement of said bar.

2. A timer including a pair of rolls, means for synchronously driving the same, a bar disposed adjacent said rolls and establishing a flux path therebetween, means for introducing magnetic force into said path to magnetically couple said rolls with said bar, a stop for limiting the movement or" said bar, and a spring secured to said bar and tending normally to retract the same.

3. A timer including a pair of means for synchronously rotating the same, a bar disposed adjacent to said rolls for providing a flux path between said rolls, means for introducing a magnetizing force into said flux path so as to magnetize said rolls and bar, rotation of said rolls causing at raising of said bar, and means for arresting the upward motion of said bar, the magnetic attraction between said bar and rolls permitting the rolls to slip past the bar, While maintaining the bar in elevated position.

4. A timer including a pair of rolls, means for synchronously rotating the same, a plurality of circuit makers and breakers, a bar for actuating said circuit makers and breakers disposed adjacent to said rolls, and magnetic means disposed on the opposite side or" said rolls from said bar for magnetically coupling said rolls with said bar.

DAVID L. BACON.

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